Union Looking to Bolster Roster

Philadelphia Union team manager Peter Nowak expects to add a coveted piece or two when Major League Soccer’s international transfer window opens on Thursday.

Acquiring a couple of key players would provide the club with some much-needed depth for the remainder of the season, and perhaps a spike in the standings.

“Yes, we’re looking for someone when the transfer window will open,” Nowak said following the Union’s 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday at PPL Park. “We’re going to bring in a couple of guys and see if they can help us.”

The Union perused the transfer window in April but ultimately declined when it closed April 15.

This time around, it appears as if the club will try to make a move.

Many international clubs are training in preseason, so it could be a perfect timing for the Union to bring in some reinforcements. While Nowak is confident in the players he already has, strategically improving the club is always on the mind.

How any signings would affect the playing time of current players remains to be seen, but any move that improves a young expansion side would be embraced.

“It’s always a great thing if you can improve your club in the middle of the season,” said forward Sebastien Le Toux. “We’re very confident in here. To get better with more players would be welcomed by everyone.”

Who knows what might have happened if the Union had two more experienced players for the San Jose match? Could it have been different? We’ll never know.

“That’s soccer, sometimes you dominate a game like that (and still lose),” goalkeeper Chris Seitz said. “We could have played another half hour and I don’t know if we would have scored again. For us, it’s a little bit of focus and it’s a little bit of luck and for us the luck wasn’t on our side. We’ll go out Wednesday and try to get things corrected and hopefully play a good performance together.”

Beginning after that match against Celtic F.C., the Union will have an opportunity to bring in some fresh blood. With the transfer window open from July 15 until August 14, the club will have a month to make some moves.